I know...

Church was excellent today.

I heard great testimonies for Fast and Testimony meeting. 

Gabe shared his testimony and I felt like everything in life is good. 

I really felt at peace and grateful for what I know to be true.

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ's true church restored again to the earth today. We have a prophet today who leads us and guides us named Thomas S. Monson. We also have local leaders as well who I know are called of God to do a service for Him by serving us in their individual responsibilities.

I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book given to us through the power of God in order to draw closer to Him and better understand the role of Jesus Christ in our lives. Because I have read and prayed about this book on multiple occasions (and continue to both read and pray about it) and know that it is true, I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God called to restore Christ's church.

I cannot imagine my life without the restored gospel of Jesus Christ because it has given me everything I consider good in my life. I am very grateful that I have the privilege of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

http://mormon.org/

Things I'm happy about today

I'm so proud of Felipe. He gave a talk for the first time in church today. Meaning he stood up at a pulpit in front of a hundred people to give a message about a topic he really knows very little about, but was willing to share what he has learned. Nevermind that he got the topic wrong (Brother LeVeque began the meeting by saying that the topic was on "reverence" when we had spent the week preparing a talk on "revelation" Oops). He did awesome. After sacrament meeting Dr. Winn came up to me to get the okay for Felipe to be called as the first counselor in the teacher's quorum presidency.

Gabe mentioned the other day how much Felipe has changed, and how we must support him with that. He reflected on the changes he made at Felipe's age with getting into the church and how he had so much support from Church Lady (as he calls her). Having the gospel completely changed Gabe's life for the better. We are now that support for Felipe. I'm very proud of how he's taken hold and making that "leap of faith" with this church and gospel. I know it will benefit him for the rest of his life and after; the decisions he is making now will affect himself and countless others as he decides what kind of person he wants to be and what kind of life he wants to live. This is one huge reason why Gabe and I wanted to do foster care for these boys, essentially putting off our own life pursuits in the meantime. Four years of providing a stable home during these crucial years will do more for these boys than anything else will for the rest of their lives. It's a small sacrifice considering the gravity of what these boys need during this time of "moulding," which is literally the last chance to make an impression. 

I see raising kids as having two chances: once when they are small and another chance right as they are learning to be independent individuals and have the ability to choose who they want to be. Both opportunities provide the highest likelihood of accepting beneficial change.

"O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in they youth to keep the commandments of God." Alma 37:35

I also have been lovin' my little lovins today---Jahno is SO CUTE. Lately his voice has been hoarse. I don't know why that is. He sounds as if he's been crying for three hours straight even though he rarely cries. But he does fancy high-pitched shrieks and squeals more than most babies, I think (from listening to too much James Brown and Led Zepplin?) Is this the beginning of a Rod-Stewart-esque trademark? Should his nickname be Rasp? I just hope he's not suffering from some bizarre form of vocal cord degeneration disease or something. Yet it is just so stinkin' cute anyway.

Discussion Panel

Almost a week ago, Gabe and I were  invited to be a part of a discussion panel on marriage and dating. 

It was to be the combined activity for Young Men and Young Women for Church.

We were the "guest couple" along with Adam and Ginny Tanner, who are also cool and young like us. A model couple that the youth look up to because we seem to have it all and have it together. 

Anyway, we sat at the table at the front of the room, some slips of paper laid out in front of us containing questions written by the Young Women. Did the Young men have any questions for us? Nope.

Of course, the young women wanted to know everything about how we met, how long we dated before we were married, etc. etc. 

One of their questions even asked, "If a redhead goes on a date with another redhead, and since redheads are going extinct, does that mean they are soulmates?" Thank you, Caroline.

We actually ended up having a good discussion with the youth about dating and marriage. And it also allowed me again to reflect on Gabe and my story. Do we have some good stories to tell! Stay tuned...